SeW AloNG! - The OP!

Old on tight....it's time to do THE OP!!!

A virtual retreat hosted by your VERY OWN .....

Pat SLOAN!!!

.... the crowd Roars... what is it yelling??? WHERE IS THE PATTERN!!!!!   

hehe... Ok.. you have all been FABULOUS sports (even those of you who have NOT been patient.... ha!)

... so here is the block we'll be making.. your Orange Pile (OP) challenge block!

So EXACTLY WHAT are we doing this weekend during out FUN AND FUNKY Virtual Retreat?  Let's do a little over view

• The theme is to use orange fabric. Use it with some buddies, 2 or more buddy colors is good.
• We'll explore how orange LOOKS with other colors and put it in different ratios.
• You'll be making up this 'OP' Block. You'll be using your orange in different positions in the block. Center? Circle? Corners? Sashings?
• Tomorrow afternoon we'll start to discuss how we can set these fun blocks in different ways.
• Who is the quilt for? I HOPE it's for YOU!!! I am going to put mine on my bed.. yes I am! A quilt for me to USE! Do you have a quilt on YOUR bed????? No? Then this is it!
• We'll also be doing a 'blog hop'... just like a shop hop only here on the net in our little virtual world of quilting playmates.  I have a GREAT lineup of girls waiting for you to visit them.. each  with a prize to give away.. thank you sweeties!!!
• I'm going to send you off to see other blogs I found interesting.
• We'll share photos.. ohhh... ahh... the best part.. like FIREWORKS on the 4th of July!
• share other thoughts.. like .. what you are EATING on retreat.... making for dinner or NOT making!
• Did you go shopping on retreat.. (well DUH... Of COURSE YOU WILL!). Share photos of what you bought or links to your virtual shopping delights!

I wanted to give you a block that is fun and easy to do. You don't want to be fussy about this block as our goal is to work with color. Our goal is NOT perfect blocks. We want to work fairly quickly so we can get a lot of blocks done over the weekend. Working quickly allows you to play with your fabric and not be worried about block construction.

So lets' look a little closer at the block.

Start off with a center and frame it out. (the pattern has step by step drawings with the sizes to cut)

All set!

Cut it in half, and then turn and cut again so you have 4 parts and add some sashing. (the pattern has a drawing of this with the sizes to cut)

Then corners!

Now you need to print the pattern.Download The OP challenge block directions

In the Next post I'll give you a link to an alternate pattern that's pretty darn cute! The designer gave us the ok to use it... woot!

So go make some blocks and post a link to you blog in the comments.. or go to my yahoo group and load the photos to the OP folder there!

yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pat-Sloan-Quilts/

Let's all be good scouts.. if someone asks a question in the comments and you are able to answer it.. PLEASE DO!! Be Quilter friendly! 

I will do 3 more posts today... then 4 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. In the meantime chat in the comments, at yahoo or on Facebook... woot!

be my friend at facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Pat-Sloan/1004154166

Comments

[Mel]

OK, here's my post with my blocks http://melsownplace.blogspot.com/2009/02/op.html I am having a ball!

[sweetbabies00]

These blocks are so cute....I have been looking forward to the retreat this weekend!
Great Idea

[Mommy of two little blessings]

Thank you. I like the one with the nutral color in the middle better than the little polkadots, personally. I am working on a quilt for my son (little at a time) and hope to use some of your helpful and creative ideas to make it special for him. He really likes Lightning McQueen so I will be susing the colors in that but digging in my STASH (which is A LOT). *smile* Thank you for holding such a fun thing in this rhelm. *smile* Blessings.-me-(Mommy of two little blessings)

[Carrie]

Hi Pat! I've finished my little OP quilt! And it is little ~ I made the blocks a little smaller. Nine blocks, some sashing and I have a very cute little whatever. Hope you're having fun!

http://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/2009/02/ouch.html

By the way, don't be surprised if anyone asks to see your tattoo. :)

[Nancy]

Okay, Okay, I can't stand it any longer, I'm going to have to get into my sewing PJ's, go dig for something that can pass as orange and make a few of these blocks this weekend. I've always wanted to go to a retreat and I love this pattern, easy but interesting. Lord...I can hear my have bound quilt groaning already, along with my hubby. I PROMISE I will finish binding it as soon as this retreat if over. I'm gonna be way behind but what the heck, it's all for the fun of quilting...Right? Right!!!

[Lydia]

Betty, you make as many blocks as you want to make. The idea is to play around with the colors you've chosen. Pat, I love this block -- it's just complex enough to be interesting, but still simple enough to be quick to sew up! I have some around-the-house stuff to do today, so may not get to play until either this evening or tomorrow. But I'm definitely going to play! I have fabrics pulled, and may pull more. I think this may be another fun quilt for our guild's charity project, the twin quilts for the Haitian orphanage -- what a fun and happy quilt it will be. Happy retreating, everyone! I'll post a photo of my fabrics later, and of blocks when I get them done. Yes, I broke down and replaced my camera. Now, of course, the other one will come out of hiding ;-)

[Betty J]

How many blocks are we supposed to make???

[Vickie in Cleveland]

Cool block, Pat! Real easy, I like that! I have to go to work soon. I hope to play more tomorrow!

[Pat Sloan]

love seeing your fabrics!!!! I posted where the Yahoo folder is .. to the yahoo group... check there!

[Judithannie]

I love this block and seeing the colors everyone has chosen. I am headed for my sewing room next to get started - thanks to everyone for the inspiration.

[Iva]

How exciting, Pat! Can't wait to get started on my first virtual retreat... as soon as all the drudgery is done for the day. It's been fascinating seeing the blocks of those who have posted so far... great job, gals!

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

I can't find the OP folder on the Yahoo Group. Can someone tell me where it is? Is it a photo album or file or what?

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

Whoopee! This is a fun block. Go to my blog at www.blackberrycreek.typepad.com to see my first constructed block.

[Sarah Vee]

2 blocks done and posted on the yahoo group. really like the 'trick on the eye' movement with blocks beside each other. babe is awake again so we'll see what i can get done next. eating carrots in Espanola...

[Jeanne]

I love this block! Easy, but looks complicated - I do like to impress my non-quilting friends.

[k8]

I reduced the pattern due to small amounts of orange in my stash. It worked out well and sewed up in no time.

[Karey]

I wish I were not at work today but it does pay for the gabric. I am looking forward to doing these blocks.
Karey

[Dawn]

Alright, I've started cutting! I have posted some pictures on my blog to start the day. www.springwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
I think I want to make at least a throw size quilt. I'm looking forward to my first virtual retreat!

[pat sloan]

these blocks make up SO QUICKLY and are LARGE so you can get a lap quilt in no time at all... I'm going to bed quilt... thinkin BIG!

[Monica]

Darn that work! It really gets in the way of my fun! But I'll work on it tonight when I get home! Woo Hoo! Can't wait

[Pat]

Now that I see this block, I am thinking table topper AND maybe even changing my "buddy" colors...was going for loud and now I'm going to tone it down a bit. LOL I have to be out and about mostly all day on Sunday and part of the day tomorrow, so I guess table topper is a more realistic idea for me. I incorporated a link to this in my post on my blog today. Sounds like we will have another fun virtual retreat. Thanks, Pat...I know you have LOTS to do but you still remember all of us and do fun things for us! You are a sweetie.

[Deb]

I like it! I think this is going to be sooo fun! (Of course, I'm headed on a 2-hr trip in an hour but can't wait to get started when I return!) Thanks, Pat!